About Us

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Technology is changing how people live in cities today, and local governments are the first official entity that will be required to transition to a digitized, connected model in order to continue providing services to residents in a relevant way. Cities that fail to embrace technology in the way they plan growth or interact with residents will render themselves as irrelevant as the cities that failed to adjust to the challenges that the collapse of the steel industry had on "rust belt" communities. Simply put, cities that fail to adapt to digitized governance will form The Digital Rustbelt. 

We can help prevent this issue. We work with companies so that their products are more easily weaved into the fabric of city services. We help cities plan for the future. 

Bob Bennett is the Principal and founder of B2 Civic Solutions, an international Smart Cities consultancy firm based in Parkville, MO. Bob chairs the Cities Today Institute and also serves as a Senior Fellow at the Digital Governing Institute. From 2016-2019, he served in Mayor Sly James’ administration as the Chief Innovation Officer for the City of Kansas City, Missouri. During his tenure, he oversaw the City’s Smart City initiatives including a 54-block total digitalization pilot, strategy development for the city and P3-based expansion plans for the City. Kansas City’s initiatives earned the city an Edison Award (Gold) for “Collective Disruption” and civic innovation in 2017, and Bob was named one of GovTech’s 25 Dreamers, Doers and Drivers in 2018.Before his role with the City, Bob completed a 25-year career in the US Army which included service as a Strategist, a Battalion Commander and multiple combat tours.